
Announcement
January 21, 2023
Hi Everyone,
UPDATE: I've just posted 15 new sets of earrings... I have been busy! These are new LiveWires with a twist or should I say 'Bolt'. If you'd like to view them, type BoltBack or LiveWires into the Search box. Enjoy!
I’ve created two new Search Categories....Sale23…items will deeply discounted and will change every two weeks; FBs (Freebies).. is a treasure hunt for free items. Look for the code FBs buried within the descriptions and message me the name of the item. (You will have to purchase at least one item to get the free one). The free item will be one of my choice. Happy hunting! The ongoing PopUps feature continues and includes items which are ongoing sales until sold out. (I've just added a few more items to this category and the PopUps).
UPDATE! There are still 5 FBs codes out there. Hint: Look in the descriptions!
After your order is shipped you will receive a 10% off coupon on your next order totaling over $75. (It's called a Thankyou10). Orders over $125 will ship for Free. Good news… the postal rates have gone up again this year but I won’t be raising my USPS First Class or Priority fees.
If you want to contact me directly, you can leave a message on Etsy or Email judiegummdesigns [!at] gmail.com. "Like" me on Facebook, Judie Gumm Designs and you'll get more updates on specials. I look forward to hearing from you. Best, Judie
Items
All Items
Reviews
-
Nat on Jan 31, 2023
5 out of 5 starsBeautiful brooch. Simply stunning. Arrived quickly (considering it had to cross the Atlantic!), and beautifully packaged, with a little extra treat inside! Thank you so much. I love them both.
-
MStorseth on Jan 28, 2023
5 out of 5 starsI have been a customer since the early days of the Seattle Flower and Garden show and. I'm NEVER disappointed!! High quality, fantastic customer service. I have quite a collection now and love every piece. I do miss visiting the shop in Ester.
-
alaine on Jan 26, 2023
5 out of 5 starsWhat a beautiful pair of earrings ! Fast delivery ! And yes we are almost neighbors !! And we both cane from the same area . I was brought up in Rochester NY !!!
-
Hklbrries on Jan 21, 2023
5 out of 5 starsThis is an especially delightful pin, well-made and beautiful. The bright spot of abalone shell was a nice touch. Brought back fond memories of watching sea otters cavort in the waters of Alaska’s Kachemak Bay. Thank you, Judie! 💕
-
Hklbrries on Jan 21, 2023
5 out of 5 starsWell-made and beautiful. I’ve purchased many of Judie Gumm’s items over the span of 30 or 40 years and am never disappointed.
-
-
Valerie on Jan 14, 2023
5 out of 5 starsWe have been buying Judie Gumm's pieces for over 20 years. We put some as decorations in little spots around the house. Many of them I wear. Beautiful work done by a class-act artist.
-
-
sylviap19 on Dec 26, 2022
5 out of 5 starsReally lovely and seasonal, very well made and a lot of detail in a small space. Shipped promptly.
-
Debbie on Dec 24, 2022
5 out of 5 starsBeautiful. Great craftsmanship. Well loved by the recipient.
About JudieGummDesigns
Judie Gumm Designs
Born and raised in upstate New York, Judie was first introduced to the lost wax process of jewelry making in 1969 in Denver, Colorado where she explored her creativity. In 1972, as the single mother of a five year old daughter, Judie relocated to Alaska. While working as a waitress and creating one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces on the side, she attended the University of Alaska where she received her first formal training in metalwork. In 1974, she was recommended by her UAF professors to teach a class in lost wax jewelry for the artist in residence program at Service Hanshew High School in Anchorage, Alaska.
In the early 1980’s, she created the blueberry and cranberry designs out of homesickness while living in Boston, MA. Upon returning to Alaska, a local shop owner recognized the beauty and marketability of her designs and encouraged her to begin a production business. In 1985, she created 30 pieces for her new production line, hired an employee, and began marketing her work through craft and trade shows. From 1985 - 2020 Judie and her husband/partner Richard continued to grow the business selling retail, wholesale and mail order catalogs. They opened a retail store front in Ester, Alaska in 1994. They have hired numerous employees over the years who have helped create the line which, at its peak, were over 400 designs
In 2019 Judie and Richard decided it was time to start slowing down and for the past two years they have pursed that goal. In October 2021, they sold their shop and home in Ester, AK and moved permanently to their new home in Green Valley AZ.
Judie will continue to design... it's in her blood... and continue to showcase her work on Etsy. Her website is now closed. As always, she will strive to continue to create distinctive, high quality, nature inspired jewelry.
Shop members
-
Judie Gumm
Owner, Designer
Born in upstate New York, Judie settled in Alaska in 1972. Largely self taught, she has been designing jewelry for 50 years and works almost exclusively with precious metals in the lost wax technique.
-
Richard Gumm
Owner, Business Manager
Richard traveled extensively as a child finally ending up in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1967. He graduated from UAA in 1975 and has a Masters in Education from Harvard. He joined the business full time in 1988 as both owner and business manager.
Production partners
-
Hutch's Casting Company
Albuquerque, NM
Hutch's Casting Company is a small casting company specializing in silver and bronze lost wax casting. We have been working with them for the past fifteen years.
-
Kick 'n Cast Casting
Sedona, AZ
A thoughtful and thorough caster
-
Quality Jewelry
Hacienda Heights, CA
Quality Jewelry constructs these necklaces from titanium mesh imported from Italy. The clasp & mesh are very strong and both are hypoallerginic. The mesh is colored using a permanent anodizing process. We crimp the clasp in our studio to make it more secure.
-
Quality Jewelry
Hacienda Heights, CA
Quality Jewelry imports the titanium mesh from Italy. They then color it using a permanent anodizing process. The clasps are stainless steel. Both mesh and clasp are hypoallergenic. We crimp the clasps onto the mesh in our shop to make them more secure. The mesh is a tube which makes it more durable
-
Snell Casting Company
Grass Valley, CA
Snell Casting Company is a small casting company specializing in silver. We have been working closely with them for the past 20 years.
-
Toadland
Albuquerque, NM
We have been partners with Darren and Jennifer at Toadland for many years. They work exclusively with pewter and are true craftsmen.
Shop policies
I recently celebrated my Jubilee - 50 years of Jewelry Designing. From the beginning of my career I have been inspired by the natural world and have worked hard to capture those images. Much of my design life has been centered in Alaska but several years ago the Southwest began calling and I became a snowbird from December - April. And although I tried not to, the desert spoke to me and I started designing down there as well.
I love using the Lost Wax process to create my designs because it's a naturally sculptural medium, easy to carve and also forgiving when I either make a mistake or change my mind. I am particularly drawn to animal and botanical themes and often incorporate whimsical or romantic symbolism (sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden). I am often looking for that perfect bead or stone which compliments the design in a meaningful way.
Jewelry should be well made, durable, and easily wearable. More than an accessory, jewelry is art, which not only brings the wearer beauty but also tells a story through symbolism. My goal is to create heirloom jewelry, handcrafted for a lifetime of enjoyment at an affordable price.
Warm Regards, Judie Gumm
Accepted payment methods
Returns & exchanges
Cancellations
Cancellations: accepted
Request a cancellation: within 2 days of purchase